Germany takes home GS Trophy

2012-12-04 10:19

PUCON, Chile - Team Germany has won the 2012 BMW Motorrad GS Trophy after going into the final day with an 18-point advantage.

The riders remained steady and consistent through to the very last test to make certain they won; it was a test of nerves as well as rain through the afternoon meant the title-deciding final trial was very slippery – with double points on offer one false move could have ruined their chances.

EARLY DETOUR

Day six saw South Africa eighth but the team fall back to 11th on Day 7 at the lakeside resort of Magma Lodge in Pucón, Chile, with an early detour to visit the volcano Villarica, where the riders ascended off-road to about 1500m above sea level, just below the snow line of the 2840m volcano.

The riders then travelled north, stopping off for a special test called the Indiana Jones that involved crossing a rope bridge with full cups of water – looking for a fast time with minimum spillage. Here Team France found the right combination to take the win, ahead of Team CEEU, while Team Germany was able to limit damage to their lead with a third place.

After this came a technical riding section of 150km, on gravel, as the course weaved through valleys and forests, some of it petrified by recent volcanic activity.

The GS Trophy’s arrival at the Trailanqui Resort in the afternoon signalled the end of the circuitous adventure that took in nearly 2000km over seven days of riding in the Patagonian mountain regions of Chile and Argentina.

EXTREME CONDITIONS

It was a remarkable journey of discovery with nearly every extreme of weather, from searing sun and choking dust on day one, through to the saturating wetness of the rain forest on day five.

However, the event was far from over with the two last tests to come. The first involved pulling an ancient horse cart with an R 1200 GS – something all but two of the teams achieved without penalty. This was followed by the traditional GS Trophy curtain closer – the trials test. Here Team USA took a surprise win, but in placing second, ahead of France in third, the German team was confirmed the winner of the 2012 GS Trophy.

Tobi Weiser, Team Germany, said: “I could start crying, that is for sure, words can’t describe the feeling, it is just wonderful. Before we came we didn’t have a clue that we could win. Even in the first days we could not see how we could win – to see the French guys riding so well we were not sure we were of that level or how we could match them.

“What I can say is that I love the GS Trophy, because we’ve met so many beautiful people, beautiful friends in this one week, it’s amazing, I love it. It’s not important to win, we got here, we had fun and it is what it is.”

'HUGE PRESSURE'

Heiner Faust, head of sales and marketing BMW Motorrad, said: “The GS Trophy is a big part of the culture of our company, for our GS customers, our GS community and GS friends. And so it’s been amazing to see these people riding through these amazing countries, over the rough trails, through the rainforests and the great scenery – and most importantly having fun together. This means a lot for us.”

Tomm Wolf, GS Trophy co-organiser, said: “It was unbelievable, after the huge pressure and four months of hard work on location, it’s great to have seen the group ride through our event, it´s unbelievable. When I came here I didn’t think it was possible to put on an event as good as this, but now it’s over and all the riders – except Marc-André Octeau who was injured on day three – have come back safely. That is an achievement.”